Jan Guillou
Biography
Jan Guillou is a French-Swedish author and journalist. Born on January 17, 1944, in Södertälje, Stockholm County, Sweden, he is known for his work as an investigative journalist and a column writer for the Swedish evening tabloid Aftonbladet. Guillou is the owner of one of the largest publishing companies in Sweden, Piratförlaget. He is also a prolific author, having written a series of spy fiction novels about a spy named Carl Hamilton and a trilogy of historical fiction novels about a Knight Templar, Arn Magnusson. Guillou's writing spans multiple genres, including spy fiction and historical fiction.
Career overview
Jan Guillou is a French-Swedish author and journalist. He gained fame in Sweden as an investigative journalist, particularly in 1973 when he exposed a secret and illegal intelligence organization in Sweden, Informationsbyrån (IB), alongside co-reporter Peter Bratt. Guillou continues to be active in journalism as a column writer for the Swedish evening tabloid Aftonbladet.
Guillou has written a series of spy fiction novels featuring a character named Carl Hamilton. He has also written a trilogy of historical fiction novels about a Knight Templar, Arn Magnusson. Guillou is the owner of one of the largest publishing companies in Sweden, Piratförlaget (Pirate Publishing). His writing spans multiple genres, including spy fiction and historical fiction.
Guillou's work has been adapted into films and television shows, including "Zlo mezi námi", "Nytt på nytt", and "Dokument inifrån: Det svenska styckmordet". His novels have been well-received, and he is considered one of the most successful authors in Sweden. Guillou's writing often explores themes of espionage, history, and politics, and he has established himself as a prominent figure in Swedish literature.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
67 titles- Medeltidens värld - Arn-fiaskot i Götene (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Dokument inifrån: Det svenska styckmordet (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- Evil (2023) Novel
- Evil (2023) Creator
- Året var 1973 (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Den överlägsne journalisten (2021) as Self
- In Anticipation of Jan Myrdal's Death (2021)
- Agent Hamilton (2020) Characters
- Agent Hamilton (2020) Creator
- IB - hemligare än Säpo (2020) as Himself
- All Against All (2019) as Himself - Contestant
- Agenternas världskrig - Jan Guillou berättar (2019) as Host
- Hasse & Tage - En kärlekshistoria (2019) as Self
- Silbersky (2019) as Self
- Berättelsen bakom Vår tid är nu (2019) as Self
- Sjöwall & Wahlöö - Berättelsen om ett brott (2016) as Self
- Leif GW Persson - Min klassresa (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- Babel (2014)
- Stenbeck (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- Min sanning (2012) as Self
- Historieätarna (2012) as Himself
- Hamilton: In the Interest of the Nation (2012) Novel
- Hamilton 2: But Not If It Concerns Your Daughter (2012) Novel
- Palme (2012) as Self
- Hellenius Hörna (2010) as Self - Guest
- Arn: The Knight Templar (2010) Novel
- Skavlan (2009) as Self - Guest
- Schulman Show (2009) as Guest
- Ebbe - The Movie: Mannen, Myten, Affären (2009) as Self
- Stig Bergling - I fiendens tjänst (2009) as Self
- Arn: The Kingdom at Road's End (2008) Novel
- Varför erkände dom? (2008) as Self (Voice)
- Arn: The Knight Templar (2007) Novel
- Babben & Co (2007) as Guest
- The 7 Deadly Sins (2007) as Himself
- Boston Tea Party (2007)
- Ett herrans liv (2006) as Self
- Häxornas tid (2005) as Presenter
- Häxornas tid (2005) Writer
- Arns rike (2004) as sig själv
- Arns rike (2004) Writer
- Evil (2003) Novel
- Talismanen (2003) as Jan Guillou
- Nytt på nytt (1999)
- Hamilton (1998) Novel
- Vendetta (1995) Novel
- Tribunal (1995) Writer
- Anna Holt - Den vite riddaren (1994) Writer
- Yrrol: An Enormously Well Thought Out Movie (1994) as Self
- Kvällspressen (1992) as Jan Guillou (uncredited)
- Kvällspressen (1992) Writer
- Kvällspressen (1992) Creator
- The Democratic Terrorist (1992) Novel
- Enemy's Enemy (1990) Writer
- Enemy's Enemy (1990) Creator
- Grabbarna på Fagerhult (1990) as Self
- Grabbarna på Fagerhult (1990) Writer
- Code Name Coq Rouge (1989) Novel
- The Interrogation (1989) as Self (uncredited)
- The Interrogation (1989) Writer
- På spåret (1987) as Tävlande
- Korset (1985) as Reporter
- Vargen (1984) Book
- Genombrottet (1981) Writer
- Genombrottet (1981) Creator
- Genombrottet (1981) Writer
- Kårhusockupationen (1968) as Student
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jan Guillou best known for?
Jan Guillou is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including All Against All (2019), Operation Ogre (1979), Min sanning (2012), Hellenius Hörna (2010).
When and where was Jan Guillou born?
Jan Guillou was born on January 17, 1944 in Södertälje, Stockholm County, Sweden.
How many credits does Jan Guillou have?
Jan Guillou has accumulated over 67 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1968 to 2025.
What is Jan Guillou's background in cinema and television?
Jan Guillou is a French-Swedish author and journalist. Born on January 17, 1944, in Södertälje, Stockholm County, Sweden, he is known for his work as an investigative journalist and a column writer for the Swedish evening tabloid Aftonbladet. Guillou is the owner of one of the largest publishing companies in Sweden, Pi...
Jan Guillou by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Min sanning (2012) as Self — aged about 68
- Nytt på nytt (1999) — aged about 55
- På spåret (1987) as Tävlande — aged about 43
- All Against All (2019) as Himself - Contestant — aged about 75
- Skavlan (2009) as Self - Guest — aged about 65
- Hellenius Hörna (2010) as Self - Guest — aged about 66
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